YREKA – Fairchild Medical Center (FMC) physicians are preparing to take their healthcare expertise into the community, as the FMC Foundation is about to launch its newest program – Health & Wellness Forums.

“Experts will do free, quarterly presentations on various healthcare topics,” said Susan Ikenberry, FMC fund development director. “We are trying to educate the community on health and how to adopt a healthier lifestyle.” Childhood obesity, behavioral and women’s health and sports medicine will be among the topics to be covered at the forums, explained Ikenberry.

“We have a huge list of topics we would like to present to the community,” said Dawna Cozzalio, FMC Foundation board member.

The physicians are all volunteering their time to participate.

The FMC Foundation has been working for several months to plan the upcoming health and wellness Forums, said Ikenberry. She said the foundation got the idea to hold these forums when a FMC orthopedic surgeon made a presentation to the public, and FMC conducted a survey to ask the public if they wanted more presentations. She said those surveyed “overwhelmingly” supported the notion of more health-related presentations.

The forums will run between one and two hours, during which each presenter will speak about the topic for approximately 20 minutes. There will be a 30-minute question and answer period following the presentations.

“They are all free and open to the public,” said Ikenberry, adding that she hopes to see 100-plus citizens of all ages attend the forums.

The first forum will be on childhood obesity, and it will be held on May 9 at Yreka Adventist Christian School at 6:30 p.m.

The speakers will be FMC pediatricians Bill Broeckel, Jack Haling and Vina Swenson.

The pediatricians will make presentations about the health risks of childhood obesity, and offer advice on ways to reduce the risks of obesity. They will discuss diet, exercise and childhood obesity statistics pertaining to long-term health problems, such as diabetes. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the speakers questions.

Yreka Adventist Christian School is at 346 Payne Lane in Yreka. Those with questions may call 841-6239.